Fuel cell module with combined current collector

Abstract

A fuel cell module having a composite collector includes a hollow, cylindrical unit cell including a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer arranged in a radial direction of the hollow, cylindrical unit cell; a current collector including a metal material mesh or conducting line located on an outer circumference of the second electrode layer; and a plurality of auxiliary current collectors including ceramic material powders located on a surface of the current collector.

1 . A fuel cell module having a composite collector, comprising:
 a hollow, cylindrical unit cell comprising a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a second electrode layer arranged in a radial direction of the hollow, cylindrical unit cell;   a current collector comprising a metal material mesh or conducting line located on an outer circumference of the second electrode layer; and   a plurality of auxiliary current collectors comprising ceramic material powders located on a surface of the current collector.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein ceramic particles of the ceramic material powders of the auxiliary current collectors are interconnected together to allow electrons to move between them. 
     
     
         3 . A fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the current collector is at 0.5 mm or 2 mm or between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the current collector comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, ferrite base Fe—Cr metal, a Ni-based alloy, and a Cr based alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary current collector comprises LaCrO 3  based ceramic. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the auxiliary current collectors have porosity at 30% or 50% or between 30% and 50%. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second electrode layer is a cathode electrode, and   wherein the auxiliary current collectors comprise LaMnO 3  and LaCoO 3  based ceramics.   
     
     
         8 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the auxiliary current collectors have a porosity less than or equal to 50%. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary current collectors are also located on the outer circumference of the second electrode layer. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein ceramic particles of the ceramic material powders of the auxiliary current collectors are interconnected together to allow electrons to move between them. 
     
     
         11 . A fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the current collector is at 0.5 mm or 2 mm or between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the current collector comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, ferrite base Fe—Cr metal, a Ni-based alloy, and a Cr based alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the auxiliary current collector comprises LaCrO 3  based ceramic. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the auxiliary current collectors have porosity at 30% or 50% or between 30% and 50%. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 9 ,
 wherein the second electrode layer is a cathode electrode, and   wherein the auxiliary current collectors comprise LaMnO 3  and LaCoO 3  based ceramics.   
     
     
         16 . The fuel cell module as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the auxiliary current collectors have a porosity less than or equal to 50%. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming the auxiliary current collectors as claimed in  claim 1  in the hollow, cylindrical unit cell around which the current collector is wound, comprising:
 processing ceramic material to form powders; 
 applying the ceramic material powders onto the surface of the current collector; and 
 performing thermal treatment at a temperature at 500° C. or 600° C. or between 500° C. and 600° C. to cake the ceramic material powders onto the surface of the current collector. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein, in the applying the ceramic material powders onto the surface of the current collector, the powdered ceramic material powders is further applied to an outer circumference of the second electrode of the hollow, cylindrical unit cell.